Dancer bodies?

Of course I am biased because I love yoga, but I find once you get into yoga there is enough strength work training for the more advanced poses that weightlifting is not necessary to progress in yoga.

I do bodyweight exercises to supplement my yoga if I find a weakness that can be addressed more directly in the short term and I find yoga doesn't develop the pulling side of the muscles so I do bodyweight pull-ups to cover this.

Having said all, there are experienced female weightlifters on MFP who lift heavy, tend to increasing flexibility as well and have physiques similar to the goals you have in mind.

Your right - I've only been HERE half a year.

HAPPY SIX MONTH BIRTHDAY!!!!

oh, wait, you weren't actually born 6 months ago? Life begins before MFP? who knew?

Excellent! Have you not heard my other theory - that Yoga as rejuvinating powers if you do it long enough? I really am six months old.

Carlos, I love ya brother, but this theory is just as valid as the one that johnnyboy is shooting down.

There is no lengthening of muscles. It's total selection bias. You, the OP, and everyone else that is talking about "dancer bodies" or "yoga bodies" or even "football bodies" or "basketball bodies" is picking out pictures of person that was genetically disposed to have the type of body that you like and they you're extrapolating that they did some special form of training to get there.

There are short dancers. And fat dancers. And muscular dancers. Same with yogis, or football players, or whatever type of body you prefer. But you're picking out the one type, tall and lean, that you like while ignoring all the other people with different bodies that do the same exact training.

For your theory of specific training leading to a specific bodytype adaptation, you'd need to provide examples of a dancer (or whatever) that had these short bulky muscles that the OP want to avoid, and then started stretching, and doing BW exercises, and dancer training, and the morphed into the lithe body frame that she is today.

For your theory of specific training leading to a specific bodytype adaptation, you'd need to provide examples of a dancer (or whatever) that had these short bulky muscles that the OP want to avoid, and then started stretching, and doing BW exercises, and dancer training, and the morphed into the lithe body frame that she is today.

DavPul - I agree with the above point you make and I was arriving at this thought myself. I am naturally short and stocky and as I lose the excess fat I find I am developing - or uncovering - a muscular physique and a trend toward abilities in handstands, hand balances and plank strength type yoga where others show a natural flexibility that I have to work much harder at.

I do still think that a flexible physique will look like the muscles are longer simply because the muscles have a greater range of movement compared to someone who is muscular but not as flexible. As you stretch a muscle out the peak is less high and so the muscle appears to be longer. I'm not saying the muscle is longer as it can only be as long as its anchor points on the skeletal frame but as range of movement increases, muscles can look longer in the more open poses.

Thinking about it - when a weight trainer poses, generally muscles are contracted to increase size and peak to the max whereas a dancer generally shows suppleness even when the muscles are contracted as some of the pics above, so it is largely how the subject of the photograph is asked to or wants to pose to show off a particular aspect of their physique.

Strength training is going to bulk you up, your going to have a toned look and a very visble defined look. When your a dancer you do not want a defined look, you want a smooth gentle look the way a dancer trains her body is by stretching, constricting, balance, and core. Your movements are very controlled and concentration is very important. When your weight training your focused on the muscles your building at the time not every single one at once. If your looking for a true understanding i suggest looking into a dancers workout they have one they have been advertising.

If you want a toned, hard, defined look strength train with bouts of cardio.

If you want a smooth gentle look core, cardio, and balance are key.

pretty much nonsense here

I disagree. The training of a ballet dancer is totally different to the training of somebody lifting weights to try to show muscles. Ballerinas use their own bodies as weights. The exception may be if they are contemporary or modern ballerinas or if they are recuperating from and injury, but not classical ballerinas, especially those trained with the Balanchine method.

Ballerinas that are part of a company or ballet school are not allowed to run, jog, or even bike. Pilates, Yoga, walking, and sometimes swimming are the only activities allowed besides ballet training. And honestly, who needs it, when they are dancing 6 to 8 hours a day. No body fat in their bodies either.

I agree with another poster that genetics is very important, and even very technical and talented ballerinas don’t make it very far unless they have what is called “perfect lines.”

Strength training is going to bulk you up, your going to have a toned look and a very visble defined look. When your a dancer you do not want a defined look, you want a smooth gentle look the way a dancer trains her body is by stretching, constricting, balance, and core. Your movements are very controlled and concentration is very important. When your weight training your focused on the muscles your building at the time not every single one at once. If your looking for a true understanding i suggest looking into a dancers workout they have one they have been advertising.

If you want a toned, hard, defined look strength train with bouts of cardio.

If you want a smooth gentle look core, cardio, and balance are key.

pretty much nonsense here

agreed...just no

Many American female dancers have adopted a more muscular look not just for aesthetics but also injury prevention.